Responsible sourcing

We expect our suppliers, sub-suppliers and distributors to implement sustainable business practices and to be transparent about their challenges. Choosing suppliers with good sustainability practices is a way for us to positively influence our supply chain.

Ambitions

2022 goals

Responsible sourcing as a mindset and behavior

Proactive approach to managing sourcing risks

Value-adding industry and supplier collaboration

All new (including renewed) supplier contracts screened according to due diligence process

Regular responsible sourcing training for sourcing managers

Actively participate in audit collaboration within the industry

Carry out at least 100 audits annually

Challenges

Telia Company relies on a vast number of suppliers and sub-suppliers, many of which are located in countries or industries with challenges in upholding ethical business practices, human and labor rights, health and safety and environmental protection. Despite solid responsible sourcing practices, the risk remains that suppliers and sub-suppliers do not comply with our sustainability, security and quality requirements.

Our approach

Responsible sourcing starts with setting the expectations for our suppliers, primarily through the Supplier code. We use a risk-based process where suppliers are categorized based on, for example, the region where the company is registered, the type of product or service provided or how critical the supplier is to our operations. This categorization supports in designing appropriate risk mitigation activities such as further due diligence steps (supplier self-assessment, information research and risk analysis) before contracting, and in conducting on-site audits to evaluate whether a supplier’s sustainability performance is sufficient.

All due diligence steps are performed in our due diligence platform. Local sourcing teams are responsible for initiating the due diligence process, initiating on-site audits and following up on suppliers’ performance if needed. Exceptions to the Supplier code requirements can be approved when a supplier has demonstrated that corresponding or stricter requirements are already in place.

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Supplier Privacy policy

At Telia Company, we take the protection of your personal integrity seriously and we want you to feel comfortable with leaving out your personal data to us.

Starting from 2016, as soon as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered into force, we have been running one GDPR Compliance program across Telia Company in all relevant markets. Since numerous principles in GDPR already existed under the old Data Protection Directive, we can draw from our previous experience and best practices while also now ensuring that we implement and follow the new GDPR principles diligently.

We have published a privacy notice for our suppliers describing how we handle your personal data. In the privacy notice you can also learn your rights to your data and how you can exercise your rights. In case you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss how we take care of your privacy at Telia Company, kindly reach out to our Group Data Protection Officer (DPO).